Cactus Silk (Sabra) Made Moroccan Rugs

 Cactus silk, also known as Sabra, as a bio fabric is the most home-friendly fabric. It is a luxurious fiber made from the natural leaves of the Aloe Vera cactus found in the Saharan regions of Morocco. Even though silk is the toughest natural fiber found in nature, people love how soft and luxurious it feels. Back in the day, the logic for its use was the first layer against the harsh environment in the rural regions, in the form of rugs, bed covers, and sometimes blankets.

Behind the Making of Cactus Silk (Sabra)

The process of making cactus silk (Sabra) is practically the same as any other fiber extraction. Produced only on a small scale across Morocco, this natural fiber is only extracted by a few skilled craftspeople in the Saharian regions as it's not easy to make. Extracting enough cactus silk for one rug can take quite the time and work and the final product can cost twice as much as regular rugs. The Moroccan women weavers have been making silk-made rugs for generations, including growing and harvesting the threads to create luxurious handmade rugs. Though the Aloe Vera cactus isn't indigenous to Morocco, you can find it pretty much all across the country. Once prepared, the threads are carefully weighed down and delicately hand spooled and dyed then they're put into the loom. These fibers are known for being delicate but once woven, can be as durable as traditional woolen rugs. Not to mention, these are a sustainable alternative to other popular fabrics.

The Cactus Silk Rug's Impact on Interior Design

These luxurious traits have made it popular all over the world with tourists looking for rare souvenirs. It's also been picked up by international interior design brands searching for new unique decorative elements but its scale has been limited, as there are still few trained in the making of these cactus silk rugs.

Homebodies and home decor buffs will delight in an ultra-delicate upgrade. A silk-made Moroccan rug can step into the fold without the chance of a design clash while providing a subtle moment of escapism. These rugs are a home interior treat that delivers far more benefits than their thin surface might suggest. In fact, the rug alone is capable of creating an atmosphere and warming up a living space and is one of the best assets in terms of interior design as a whole. With a wide herringbone pattern, sometimes irregularly sized, comes in infinite color versions: natural jute and red or natural jute and silver lurex.

Qualities and Properties of Moroccan Cactus Silk Rugs

Cactus silk absorbs dyes better than its relative wool, which means it needs less water and less land to produce but the special expertise and energy needed for such fiber-making hold back this method from becoming world widespread.

The Moroccan cactus silk rug has unique properties. Besides being naturally soft and light, It’s very breathable, and unlike wool, it’s extremely durable and resistant when it comes to spills, stains, and wear. The rug is also highly eco-friendly, as it needs no finishing chemicals or toxic products to produce. It’s probably the most ecological rug in the world. And for those that prefer vintage, it’s built to last.

Cactus silk may be one of many materials that will be increasingly difficult to purchase in the long term. Unlike other fabrics, cactus silk is very limited in where it is produced around the world, and because of the current overwhelming demand from consumers, the supply will be limited—and soon.